WeCAN October Peer Learning Network Call: Community Civic Health

Colleges increasingly emphasize internships, career counseling, and work-based learning as essential steps in preparing students for the transition from college to employment. A growing body of research shows that students who take part in these activities experience better hiring outcomes and stronger early-career earnings.

WRDC researchers Nastasya Winckel and Paul Lewin analyzed nearly two decades of national data to understand better whether self-employment offers a meaningful pathway out of poverty for low-income workers. Their findings show that financial outcomes vary widely and often depend on economic conditions, duration in self-employment, and prior income levels. The study provides a nuanced look at the trade-offs involved and raises important questions for researchers and practitioners focused on poverty alleviation and labor market dynamics.

The Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging (INRPHA), with support from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), is seeking pilot research proposals that advance understanding of rural health and aging trends and disparities.
Deadline: April 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT
Start Date: As early as July 1, 2026